Three roles deliver rollout communications in sequence: an executive, managers, and HR/Admin.
Key Rules
- Executive announcement — Communicates the purpose and organizational vision for adopting 15Five. Send this first, before invitations go out.
- Manager announcement — Explains what changes day-to-day for managers and their direct reports. Send after the executive announcement.
- HR/Admin announcement — Provides activation instructions, training resources, and a point of contact for questions. Send this last, timed with or just before invitations.
- Each message must cover: the reason 15Five is being adopted, which features launch first, what employees or managers are expected to do, and where to direct questions.
- Activation instructions belong in the HR/Admin message, not the executive or manager messages.
Common Misunderstanding
Sending one company-wide message from HR does not replace the executive and manager announcements. Employees respond differently to communications from leadership versus HR. All three messages serve distinct purposes and reach people at different levels of context.
Communication timeline
Send the three announcements in sequence over the three weeks leading up to launch.
- 3 weeks before launch — CEO announcement. Introduce 15Five, explain the company's "why," and set expectations. Include the company "why" statement, which features launch first (for example, Check-ins), what comes next, and who to contact with questions.
- 2 weeks before launch — Manager announcement. Connect the rollout to daily team workflows and personal impact. Include what employees will do (Check-ins, 1-on-1s), how workflows change, and an open door for questions.
- 1 week before launch — HR/Admin announcement. Deliver logistics: training, activation, and due dates. Include the training session date/link, when activation emails arrive, Check-in due dates, and where to send questions.
Write your "why" statement
Use this fill-in template to frame your purpose for adopting 15Five:
Answer these questions with your rollout team first:
- What prompted us to adopt 15Five?
- Which team or company challenges are we hoping to solve?
- How will 15Five support current priorities or initiatives?
- What does successful adoption look like in the next 90 days?
Email templates
Copy these templates and personalize the bracketed fields before sending.
CEO announcement
Subject: Introducing 15Five: Our New Tool for Better Alignment and Support
Hi team,
I'm excited to share that we're launching 15Five, a platform designed to help us improve communication, strengthen manager support, and stay aligned on priorities.
We chose 15Five because [insert your "why"]. As we continue to grow, we want to ensure everyone feels supported, connected, and clear on what matters most.
To start, we'll begin using Weekly Check-ins. Each week, you'll share how you're doing, what you're working on, and where you may need support. Your manager will review your Check-in to stay connected and help remove roadblocks quickly.
You'll receive more details from your manager and our HR team soon. If questions come up, feel free to reach out to [name] or post in our [internal channel].
Thanks for supporting this transition and helping us make it a success.
[Leader Name], [Title]
Manager announcement
Subject: What to Expect as We Begin Using 15Five
Hi team,
As you heard from leadership, we're rolling out 15Five to support clearer communication and stronger alignment. Here's what this means for us day-to-day:
- You'll complete a weekly Check-in. It takes about 15 minutes and helps me understand how you're doing, what's going well, and where I can support you.
- We'll use 15Five's 1-on-1 tool to track our discussion topics and action items.
- This process is designed to streamline communication, reduce friction, and give you more space to share feedback and growth needs.
If you have questions, concerns, or ideas, I'm here to support you throughout the transition.
Thanks for your partnership, [Manager Name]
HR/Admin announcement
Subject: Your 15Five Training and Activation Details
Hi everyone,
We're one week away from launching 15Five. Here's what you need to know:
Training
- Internal training session: [date/time]
- 15Five learning resources: [link]
Activation
- You'll receive your 15Five activation email on [date].
- Please activate your account as soon as it arrives.
Expectations
- Managers will hold weekly 1-on-1s using 15Five.
- All employees, including leadership, will complete Weekly Check-ins due by [day/time].
- Your first Check-in is due [date].
We welcome your questions and feedback. Contact [name] or post in [internal channel] anytime.
Thanks for your support, [HR/People Team]